Anna Bocchino | Nursing and AI | AI Breakthrough Award

Prof. Dr. Anna Bocchino | Nursing and AI | AI Breakthrough Award

Professor at Salus Infirmorum Nursing University, Spain

Anna Bocchino is a dedicated academic and researcher in the fields of psychosocial sciences, transcultural health, and social psychology, with extensive involvement in both education and scientific inquiry. She is currently serving as a full-time faculty member at the Centro Universitario de Enfermería Salus Infirmorum, affiliated with the University of Cádiz. Her professional trajectory is marked by a consistent focus on culturally competent care, innovative pedagogy in nursing education, and the psychosocial dynamics of health. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, nursing, and social theory, making her a prominent contributor in both academic and clinical contexts.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Anna Bocchino holds a doctoral degree in psychology from the University of Naples, where her thesis explored cross-cultural competencies among nurses in Caserta and Seville. Her academic foundation is rooted in relational sciences, with an emphasis on integrating community psychology principles into healthcare settings. Over the years, her educational pursuits have been complemented by continuous professional development, focusing on gender studies, intercultural communication, and advanced clinical diagnostics within the nursing profession.

Experience

Bocchino has held teaching positions in multiple core subjects including “Ciencias Psicosociales Aplicadas”, “Transculturalidad, Género y Salud”, and “Habilidades de la Comunicación Intercultural.” These have been delivered through in-person modalities to undergraduate nursing students. In addition to teaching, she has coordinated several innovation projects at the University of Cádiz aimed at improving didactic strategies, such as integrating ICT in the classroom and utilizing gamification through educational tools like “Trivial NANDA.” Furthermore, her research and teaching excellence are demonstrated by her involvement in numerous funded projects focusing on curriculum development and student engagement.

Research Interests

Her primary research interests include transcultural health, the psychology of migration, burnout in healthcare settings, and the development of diagnostic tools in nursing. She has explored themes such as professional grief, cultural empathy, and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making. Bocchino’s work often incorporates content validation methodologies and psychometric analysis, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based practice. She is also interested in the pedagogical development of future nurses, with a special emphasis on fostering intercultural sensitivity and improving patient-provider communication.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Bocchino has received institutional recognition for her contributions to teaching innovation and academic research. She has led or co-led various projects funded under the University of Cádiz’s initiatives for improving academic performance and enhancing scientific dissemination. Her leadership in these initiatives has positioned her as a role model within the academic nursing community.

Publications

  • The Integration of AI into the Nursing Process: A Comparative Analysis of NANDA, NOC, and NIC-Based Care Plans

    • Journal: Nursing Reports

    • Date: 2025-05-27

    • DOI: 10.3390/nursrep15060186

    • Co-authors: Ester Gilart, Patricia Gilart-Cantizano, Eva Manuela Cotobal-Calvo, Isabel Lepiani-Diaz, Daniel Román-Sánchez, José Luis Palazón-Fernández

  • Risk Determinants of Sexual Behaviors: Dating Apps, History of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Substance Use, and Pornography Consumption in Health Science Students

    • Journal: Nursing Reports

    • Date: 2025-02-28

    • DOI: 10.3390/nursrep15030083

    • Co-authors: María Naranjo-Márquez, Ester Gilart, Eva Manuela Cotobal-Calvo, Fortuna Procentese, José Luis Palazón-Fernández

  • Self-Medication Practice and Associated Factors Among Health Professionals in Spain

    • Journal: Nursing Reports

    • Date: 2025-02-04

    • DOI: 10.3390/nursrep15020053

    • Co-authors: Eva Manuela Cotobal-Calvo, Concepción Mata-Pérez, Ester Gilart, Belén Gutiérrez-Baena, José Luis Palazón-Fernández

  • Content Validation of the Self-Medication Scale and Trust in Online Resources: Deepening Digital Access to Health

    • Journal: Nursing Reports

    • Date: 2024-07-31

    • DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14030141

    • Co-authors: Eva Manuela Cotobal Calvo, Concepción Mata-Pérez, Alberto Cruz-Barrientos, María Naranjo-Márquez, José Luis Palazón-Fernández

  • Identifying Hate Speech and Attribution of Responsibility: An Analysis of Simulated WhatsApp Conversations during the Pandemic

    • Journal: Healthcare

    • Date: 2023-05-26

    • DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11111564

    • Co-authors: José Luis Palazón-Fernández, Concepción Mata-Perez, Ester Gilart, Eva Manuela Cotobal Calvo, Alberto Cruz-Barrientos

  • Bereavement Needs Assessment in Nurses: Elaboration and Content Validation of a Professional Traumatic Grief Scale

    • Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

    • Date: 2022-03-03

    • DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052968

    • Co-authors: Ester Gilart, Isabel Lepiani, María Dueñas, Maria José Cantizano Nuñez, Belen Gutierrez Baena

  • Psychometric Properties of Unemployment Syndrome Scale and Relevance to Clinical Practice

    • Journal: International Journal of Nursing Knowledge

    • Date: 2021-10

    • DOI: 10.1111/2047-3095.12316

    • Co-authors: Isabel Lepiani, Ester Gilart, Maria Jesus Medialdea, María Dueñas Rodriguez

Conclusion

Anna Bocchino exemplifies the modern academic committed to bridging scientific rigor with humanistic care in health education. Her contributions extend across teaching, research, and community engagement. Whether validating new diagnostic scales or exploring the socio-psychological dimensions of healthcare, she maintains a focus on quality, cultural respect, and empirical relevance. Her scholarly output and collaborative projects reveal a clear vision: advancing nursing through innovation, inclusion, and interdisciplinary synergy.

Welile Mamba | Nursing Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Welile Mamba | Nursing Science | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at University of Pretoria, South Africa

Welile Magnificent Mamba is an accomplished lecturer in the Department of General Nursing Science at the University of Eswatini. With a progressive career in nursing education, clinical care, and research, Mamba has significantly contributed to the advancement of nursing science in Eswatini. His dedication to teaching and research has positioned him as a respected figure in the field of critical care and implementation science. Through his teaching, research supervision, and scholarly publications, he continuously seeks to improve healthcare outcomes and nursing practices across various levels of care, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Mamba’s career reflects a commitment to academic excellence, evidence-based practice, and capacity development in nursing education.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Welile Mamba’s academic journey began with a Diploma in General Nursing Science from the University of Swaziland (2006–2009), where he graduated with distinction. He then earned a Bachelor of Nursing Science in Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing from the same institution between 2011 and 2013, graduating with credit. Building on this strong foundation, Mamba pursued a Master of Nursing Science in Critical Care Nursing at the University of Pretoria, graduating with distinction (Cum Laude) in 2021. Currently, he is pursuing a Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) in Nursing Science, with a focus on Implementation Science, at the University of Pretoria. His academic development is further enriched by short courses covering key healthcare topics such as HIV/TB co-infection, psychological support, and quality improvement.

Experience

Mamba’s professional experience spans both clinical and academic domains. He began his clinical career in 2009 as a Staff Nurse at Medisun Clinic Private Hospital, later serving at the Ndvwabangeni Nazarene Clinic and as Senior Nurse at Ndvwabangeni Clinic under the Eswatini Nazarene Health Institution. In 2016, he transitioned into academia as a Technologist in the Department of General Nursing Science at the University of Eswatini, where he progressed to the role of Teaching Assistant and, eventually, Lecturer by September 2021. He has been actively involved in curriculum delivery, clinical instruction, and research supervision, nurturing a new generation of healthcare professionals. His part-time teaching and moderation roles at the Institute of Development Management and Good Shepherd College of Nursing further reflect his extensive contributions to nursing education.

Research Interest

Mamba’s research interests lie in critical care nursing, implementation science, followership in healthcare leadership, and patient-centered care models. He is particularly interested in the integration of qualitative methodologies to understand the lived experiences of patients and nurses, as well as in program theory development for capacity-building in clinical settings. His ongoing PhD research aligns with these themes, focusing on improving implementation strategies within healthcare systems. Additionally, Mamba is invested in exploring the psychological and social dimensions of chronic illnesses and adolescent health behaviors.

Award

Although Mamba has not formally listed awards in his curriculum vitae, his distinction in his master’s degree and progression to doctoral studies on a competitive academic trajectory serve as significant markers of achievement. His involvement in national outreach projects and his selection as a lecturer at a prestigious national institution also reflect recognition of his expertise and leadership within the nursing profession.

Publication

Welile Mamba has contributed to several scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals, emphasizing themes of critical care, nursing leadership, and chronic disease management. In 2021, he co-authored “Integrative therapies in intensive care units: A scoping review,” published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing (https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15775), which is cited by multiple articles exploring holistic approaches in critical care. In 2025, he authored “Nurse leaders’ perceptions of followership development needs: A descriptive qualitative study,” accepted for publication in the Journal of Nursing Management. Additional submissions under review in 2025 include “Nurse leaders’ perceptions of existing followership practices” and “A programme theory for developing followers in organizations: A realist review,” targeted for Journal of Nursing Management and Nursing Forum, respectively. His collaborative research with undergraduate students includes the 2025 article “Experiences and coping strategies of adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes mellitus,” and “Experiences and coping strategies of adults living with congestive heart failure,” both published in the Nursing & Health Sciences Journal. These works are gaining traction in scholarly discussions related to adolescent health and chronic disease management.

Conclusion

Welile Magnificent Mamba exemplifies the integration of academic rigor, clinical experience, and research innovation in nursing science. His trajectory from a staff nurse to a university lecturer and researcher highlights a strong dedication to professional growth and community impact. With a deep-rooted passion for education, leadership development, and evidence-based care, Mamba continues to shape the nursing landscape in Eswatini and beyond. His scholarly contributions, research supervision, and curriculum involvement position him as an emerging thought leader committed to advancing healthcare delivery and nursing education across the region.